El Morro

Explore the windswept ramparts and passageways of this 16th-century fortress. El Morro was built during the reign of King Charles V of Spain to guard San Juan Bay. Today, this cultural treasure of Puerto Rico attracts 2 million visitors a year.9601280

Explore the windswept ramparts and passageways of this 16th-century fortress. El Morro was built during the reign of King Charles V of Spain to guard San Juan Bay. Today, this cultural treasure of Puerto Rico attracts 2 million visitors a year.

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Teatro Tapia

Teatro Tapia

Built in 1824, Teatro Tapia remains the oldest drama stage building still standing (and in use) anywhere in the US or its territories. Visit the historic theater to see plays, ballets and concerts.9601280

Built in 1824, Teatro Tapia remains the oldest drama stage building still standing (and in use) anywhere in the US or its territories. Visit the historic theater to see plays, ballets and concerts.

Nathalia Barbosa, flickr

Navio Beach

Navio Beach

For a great bodysurfing experience, head to Navio Beach on the south coast of Vieques Island. Secluded, with turquoise-colored waters, Navio Beach offers a strong surf, along with the occasional calm waves for a snorkeling adventure.9601280

For a great bodysurfing experience, head to Navio Beach on the south coast of Vieques Island. Secluded, with turquoise-colored waters, Navio Beach offers a strong surf, along with the occasional calm waves for a snorkeling adventure.

mharvey.nyc, flickr

Mona Island

Mona Island

Enjoy a Caribbean getaway on Mona Island. Just 7 miles long and 4 miles wide, the island -- the third-largest of the archipelago of Puerto Rico -- is home to picture-worthy coral reefs, cliffs and caves.9601280

Enjoy a Caribbean getaway on Mona Island. Just 7 miles long and 4 miles wide, the island -- the third-largest of the archipelago of Puerto Rico -- is home to picture-worthy coral reefs, cliffs and caves.

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Culebrita Island Lighthouse

Culebrita Island Lighthouse

Take a private boat to the small, uninhabited island of Isla Culebrita, off the eastern coast of Culebra, Puerto Rico. That’s where you’ll find this lighthouse -- one of the oldest in the Caribbean. 9601280

Take a private boat to the small, uninhabited island of Isla Culebrita, off the eastern coast of Culebra, Puerto Rico. That’s where you’ll find this lighthouse -- one of the oldest in the Caribbean.

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Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Puerto Rico has 5 cathedrals. Among them, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands out for its elaborate design. Built in a neoclassical style, the cathedral is shaped like a cross, with a large dome at the point of intersection.9601280

Puerto Rico has 5 cathedrals. Among them, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands out for its elaborate design. Built in a neoclassical style, the cathedral is shaped like a cross, with a large dome at the point of intersection.

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Toro Verde Adventure Park

Toro Verde Adventure Park

For an adrenaline rush, head to Toro Verde, a zip line park in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Toro Verde has more zip lines than any other park in Puerto Rico. It’s also home to La Bestia -- at 4,745 feet, one of the longest zip lines in the world.9601280

For an adrenaline rush, head to Toro Verde, a zip line park in Orocovis, Puerto Rico. Toro Verde has more zip lines than any other park in Puerto Rico. It’s also home to La Bestia -- at 4,745 feet, one of the longest zip lines in the world.

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El Museo Castillo Serralles

El Museo Castillo Serralles

Revisit Puerto Rico’s era of wealthy barons. The Serralles family, owners of a rum distillery, called this Spanish Revival mansion home following its completion in 1930. Today, you can explore its intricate architecture and open-central courtyard in Ponce, Puerto Rico.9601280

Revisit Puerto Rico’s era of wealthy barons. The Serralles family, owners of a rum distillery, called this Spanish Revival mansion home following its completion in 1930. Today, you can explore its intricate architecture and open-central courtyard in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

nodame, flickr

Fort San Cristobal

Fort San Cristobal

Covering 27 acres, this fortress is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. With walls that rise more than 150 feet, the fort protected San Juan against invaders coming by sea. 9601280

Covering 27 acres, this fortress is the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World. With walls that rise more than 150 feet, the fort protected San Juan against invaders coming by sea.

Krystyn Wukitsch Foran,flickr

La Fortaleza

La Fortaleza

La Fortaleza is the oldest executive mansion still in use anywhere in the Americas. Since the 1500s, the structure has served as residence for the governor of Puerto Rico. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.9601280

La Fortaleza is the oldest executive mansion still in use anywhere in the Americas. Since the 1500s, the structure has served as residence for the governor of Puerto Rico. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jano Tazky, Wikimedia Commons

El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. The 28,002 acres see abundant rainfall (in some places, more than 200 inches annually), and include waterfalls, rivers and lush foliage like this.9601280

El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System. The 28,002 acres see abundant rainfall (in some places, more than 200 inches annually), and include waterfalls, rivers and lush foliage like this.

Joe Shlabotnik, flickr

Old San Juan

Old San Juan

Take a stroll along the narrow, blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. As the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico, the city has a palpable sense of history; its flat-roofed brick and stone buildings date as far back as the 1500s.9601280

Take a stroll along the narrow, blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan. As the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico, the city has a palpable sense of history; its flat-roofed brick and stone buildings date as far back as the 1500s.

melvdesigns, flickr

Desecheo Island

Desecheo Island

The vibrant reef and clear waters of Puerto Rico’s Desecheo Island make it a prime location for diving. Though visitors are not permitted on the island (it was used as a bombing practice site by the US military), diving is permitted around the island.9601280

The vibrant reef and clear waters of Puerto Rico’s Desecheo Island make it a prime location for diving. Though visitors are not permitted on the island (it was used as a bombing practice site by the US military), diving is permitted around the island.